In a world where werewolves are forced to live in secret, 28-year-old August "Augie" Rodriguez, a former Marine turned werewolf hunter, is hired to track down a rogue alpha. But when Augie's prey turns out to be his estranged brother, thought to be dead, he must confront his troubled past and the true nature of his family's curse.
Augie Rodriguez stepped out of the rain-soaked night and into the dimly lit bar, the neon signs outside casting a gaudy glow on the wet pavement. He scanned the room, his eyes adjusting to the smoky atmosphere, and spotted his contact in the corner, nursing a whiskey on the rocks.
Augie made his way through the crowd, his movements fluid and deliberate, earning a few curious glances from the patrons. He was a tall, imposing figure, with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into those he met. His dark hair was cropped short, revealing a scar above his left eyebrow, a souvenir from a past encounter.
The contact, a scrawny man named Vinnie, looked up and nodded curtly as Augie approached. "Augie, thanks for coming," Vinnie said, his voice laced with a nervous twitch.
Augie slid into the booth, his eyes locked on Vinnie. "What's the job?" he asked, his deep voice firm and commanding.
Vinnie hesitated, glancing around the bar before leaning in closer. "We got a rogue alpha on our hands, Augie. Been terrorizing the countryside, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake."
Augie's expression turned grim. "What makes you think I'm the right man for the job?"
Vinnie shrugged. "You're the best hunter we've got, Augie. And this one...this one's different. It's like nothing we've ever seen before."
Augie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Vinnie leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's like it's toying with us, Augie. Leaving clues, taunting us. And the bodies...they're not just killed, they're mutilated. Like it's trying to send a message."
Augie's grip on his glass tightened, his mind racing with the implications. He had dealt with rogue werewolves before, but this sounded different. This sounded personal.
"I'm in," Augie said finally, his voice firm. "When do I start?"
Vinnie nodded, relief etched on his face. "I'll give you the details. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight."
Augie nodded, downing his whiskey in one swift motion. He knew what he was getting himself into. He knew the risks. But he also knew he couldn't walk away. Not from this. Not from the thrill of the hunt.
Augie stepped out of the bar, the cool night air a welcome respite from the smoky atmosphere. He lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as he gazed out into the darkness. The rain had let up, leaving behind a misty veil that shrouded the city.
He thought back to Vinnie's words, the image of the mutilated bodies etched in his mind. He had seen some gruesome things in his line of work, but this sounded different. This sounded calculated.
Augie's phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the spell. He answered, listening intently to Vinnie's voice on the other end.
"Augie, I'm sending you the details now. Be careful, this one's got everyone spooked."
Augie nodded, even though Vinnie couldn't see him. "Got it."
He hung up, pulling out his phone to scan the files Vinnie had sent. The photos showed a trail of destruction, bodies torn apart with surgical precision. Augie's gut told him this was more than just a rogue alpha - this was something sinister.
The files also included a location, a small town a few hours outside the city. Augie memorized the details, his mind already racing with strategies.
He arrived at the warehouse just before midnight, the building looming above him like a specter. Vinnie was already there, pacing nervously in the shadows.
"Augie, I'm glad you're here," Vinnie said, his voice tight with anxiety. "We need to get this done quickly, before it's too late."
Augie nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "What's the plan?"
Vinnie handed him a folder filled with more photos and notes. "The alpha's been spotted in the vicinity of the old mill on the outskirts of town. We think it's hiding there."
Augie's grip on the folder tightened. "Let's get moving."
The drive to the town was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the engine. Augie's mind was focused on the task ahead, his senses on high alert.
They arrived at the mill just before dawn, the sky lightening in the east. Augie could feel it, a presence lurking just out of sight.
He motioned to Vinnie, who nodded and fell back, giving Augie the lead. Augie crept forward, his gun at the ready, his heart pounding in his chest.
The mill loomed before him, its windows shattered, the door hanging off its hinges. Augie approached cautiously, his senses on high alert.
And then, he saw it. A figure, tall and imposing, standing in the center of the room. Its eyes locked onto Augie, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
Augie's finger tightened on the trigger, but he hesitated. There was something in the alpha's eyes, something that gave him pause.
The alpha took a step forward, its movements fluid and deliberate. Augie could feel its power, its dominance.
And then, just as suddenly, it vanished. Augie was left standing there, his gun still raised, his heart pounding in his chest.
He knew, in that moment, that this was far from over.
Augie lowered his gun, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the alpha. But it was gone, vanished into thin air. He cursed under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities.
Vinnie emerged from the shadows, his eyes wide with excitement. "What happened?" he whispered.
Augie shook his head. "It was here, and then it just disappeared."
Vinnie's face fell. "We need to get out of here, now."
Augie nodded, tucking his gun into his holster. "Let's move."
They made their way back to the car, their senses on high alert. Augie couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the alpha was still out there, waiting for them.
The drive back to the city was tense, the silence between them thick with unspoken questions. Augie's mind was racing, trying to piece together what had just happened.
When they arrived at the warehouse, Vinnie turned to him, his eyes serious. "Augie, we need to talk."
Augie nodded, following Vinnie into the warehouse. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat.
Vinnie stopped in front of him, his hands on his hips. "Augie, I know you're the best hunter we've got, but this...this is different. This alpha is smart, calculated. It's not just a mindless beast."
Augie's expression turned grim. "I know."
Vinnie hesitated. "I think we're in over our heads, Augie. I think we should call in backup."
Augie's jaw clenched. "No."
Vinnie's eyes widened. "Augie, listen to me..."
Augie's hand shot up, silencing him. "No, Vinnie. I've got this."
Vinnie's face fell, but he nodded. "Okay, Augie. But be careful."
Augie nodded, turning to leave. "I will."
The rest of the day was a blur, Augie's mind consumed by thoughts of the alpha. He knew he had to be careful, that this was no ordinary werewolf.
He spent hours poring over the files, looking for any clue that might lead him to the alpha. And then, just as he was about to give up, he saw it - a small detail that had escaped him before.
A symbol, etched into the wall of the mill. A symbol that looked eerily familiar.
Augie's heart raced as he realized the truth. This wasn't just a rogue alpha - this was something much bigger.
He knew he had to act fast, to get to the bottom of this before it was too late. And so, with a newfound sense of determination, Augie set out to track down the alpha, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The symbol haunted Augie's dreams, its twisted curves and lines etched into his mind like a branding iron. He woke up in a cold sweat, his heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation.
He knew he had to move fast, to uncover the truth behind the symbol and the alpha's true intentions. Augie threw off the covers and got out of bed, his mind already racing with possibilities.
He arrived at the warehouse just as Vinnie was setting up for the day. "Augie, what's going on?" Vinnie asked, noticing the look of determination on Augie's face.
Augie showed him the symbol, his finger tracing the curves. "This is the key, Vinnie. This is what's been missing."
Vinnie's eyes widened. "Where did you find it?"
Augie hesitated. "The mill. It was etched into the wall."
Vinnie's face went pale. "Augie, we need to be careful. This symbol...it's not just any symbol."
Augie's grip on the paper tightened. "What do you mean?"
Vinnie glanced around nervously. "Let's just say it's connected to some pretty dark stuff. Stuff we don't want to mess with."
Augie's jaw clenched. "I don't care about that. I care about stopping the alpha."
Vinnie nodded. "Okay, Augie. But be careful. We're playing with fire here."
The rest of the day was a blur of research and investigation, Augie and Vinnie following every lead, every hint that might bring them closer to the truth.
And then, just as the sun was setting, they got their break. A call from an anonymous source, hinting at a location, a place where the alpha might be hiding.
Augie's heart raced as he grabbed his gun, his mind focused on the task ahead. "Let's move," he said, his voice firm and commanding.
Vinnie nodded, following close behind. They arrived at the location, an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, and Augie knew they were close.
He could feel it, a presence lurking just out of sight. Augie's grip on his gun tightened, his senses on high alert.
And then, they saw it. The alpha, standing in the center of the room, its eyes fixed on Augie with a malevolent glare.
Augie's finger tightened on the trigger, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this was it, the moment of truth.
But just as he was about to fire, the alpha spoke, its voice low and menacing. "Augie Rodriguez," it said. "I've been waiting for you."
Isla has spent her entire life waiting for the moment she would find her mate, believing in the fairy tales of fate and eternal love. But when her mate, Alpha Asher Nightshade, rejects her on the night of their fated union, Isla's world shatters. Deemed too "ordinary" for the powerful and ambitious Alpha, she is cast out of the Shadowfang Pack. Fate, however, has other plans. Years later, Isla has rebuilt herself, finding strength and purpose among a rogue pack that values her for who she is. But when Asher's pack is threatened by an ancient curse, he seeks her out, desperate for her unique gift to commune with the spirits of the forest. Thrown back into each other's lives, Isla and Asher must confront the wounds of the past while facing a dangerous future. Will Asher prove he is worthy of a second chance, or will Isla find a love even greater than the bond that once broke her?
In a world where family ties bind with unbreakable chains, Zara and Damon are caught in a web of loyalty, blood feuds, and forbidden love. The moment their eyes meet, sparks ignite, but their families have been enemies for generations. Zara, the daughter of a powerful crime lord, is promised to a man she does not love, while Damon is the heir to the rival family who killed her brother. As their paths intertwine, the heat of their passion becomes the ultimate betrayal, and every stolen moment could cost them everything. In a world of vengeance and sacrifice, can love survive the storm?
In a world shattered by a catastrophic disaster, Jillian and Tom are among the last survivors, bound together by a shared will to survive and the budding, undeniable bond between them. As they traverse the wreckage of civilization, scavenging for supplies and navigating the horrors of a world stripped of life, they find comfort in each other's presence. But as the days slip by, they must confront the question: Can love bloom in the midst of darkness and death? Amidst campfires, fleeting moments of joy, and the harsh reality of their new world, Jillian and Tom face not only the danger of the outside world but also the fear of losing each other. Will their connection be enough to overcome the shadows that threaten to consume them?
When billionaire Cameron Reed needs a wife to secure his family's business empire, he turns to beautiful lawyer Aurora "Rory" Wellesley. Their contract marriage promises a hefty payout, but as they navigate the complexities of their agreement, they must confront their growing feelings and the secrets threatening to tear them apart. Will their love be worth the risk, or will their bargain destroy everything?
Emerson Grant, a successful event planner, returns to her hometown after a painful divorce. She butts heads with her new neighbor, former NFL star Caleb Mitchell, who's hiding a secret. As they work together to restore the town's iconic lighthouse, their initial animosity turns into a fiery attraction. But will their pasts and fears extinguish the flames of love or will they find their forever?
Wealthy businessman Ryder Thompson inherits a struggling vineyard in Tuscany, he sees an opportunity to turn his life around. But what he doesn't expect is to fall for the vineyard's beautiful and fiercely independent manager, Sophia De Luca. As they work together to restore the vineyard to its former glory, Ryder and Sophia must navigate their own complicated pasts and confront the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges that lie ahead?
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"